While Your Wait to Hear From Us

Check out below some of the past clients we have helped with saddle pad fitting their horses, and the advice we had for them.

Best Saddle Pad: Kush Wool for Barrel Racer

Best Saddle Pad: 3/4″ BHS Kush Wool for Barrel Racer

Problem: Older Horse, Higher Withers

Best Saddle Pad: 3/4″ BHS Fleece

Problem: I need a new saddle pad for my horse and I am looking to purchase from your website. However, I’m having a hard time deciding which saddle pad would be best for my boy. He is a bit older and has a pretty high wither. I want him to be comfortable, and I know he needs something with some extra padding. I ride western and do western pleasure, games, and trail rides.

Recommended Saddle Pad: ½” BHS Fleece

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a new horse and my saddle keeps sliding back on her. She is a 5 year old quarter horse, about 15.3 hands, she’s in training for barrel racing. She has big shoulder muscles but low spots on her back and her butt is a little taller than her withers, so my current pad (classic equine contour fit with neoprene) and saddle keep sliding back on her?! She is also VERY sensitive on her back which may be from this fitting so badly. I can stick my hands in between the saddle pad and her back because there is a huge gap. Which saddle pad do you recommend for this problem?”

Problem: “He is 16.3 hands. He is a head horse and we have problems with him getting sore in the withers and about 5 in down his back from his withers. We have tried a Patrick Smith felt pad with and without a blanket under or over it. He rides a HR ranch saddle.”

Problem: “He is 22 yrs old and acts like he has a tight shoulder so I was thinking of something that is build up. He is a head horse. We have a hard time keeping a saddle straight on him. It always is off to the left.”

Problem: “I am in the market for a new saddle pad. This is May and we barrel race. Current pad is nothing fancy or custom. Looking for something more current and comfortable. May has gate issues and we recently had a chiropractor work on her. Ribs were sore and needed to be adjusted…not sure if it can be related. Small dry spots are seen behind shoulders near withers.”

Problem: “My daughter has an 11 yr old AQHA mare that she rides in gymkhana and mounted shooting. She was having issues with pinching at her withers, but she is much better since we bought a Billy Shaw barrel saddle with a wider gullet. She currently has a Classic Equine pad. My concern is that she has been off since April due to a chipped sesamoid and has lost muscle. We have been walk/trotting her for the last few months and can now start training again, so we need a pad that will adjust as she builds muscle back up.”

Problem: “I have tried Everything in this little horse and still not right. I’ve tried every saddle possible and nothing fit so I took her to Kent Logan to custom make her a saddle which is the one you see in pics. She travels downhill anyway but shims did not work , cutting hole in pad to alleviate pressure just put pressure marks further down. Do u make anything that is higher in withers and won’t collapse behind? Any thoughts or suggestions?”

Problem: “I am looking for what pad would best fit my gelding. I mainly trail ride and barrel race but we also do some sorting and penning. Our trail rides can also last up to 8 hours so I am looking for something that will protect him. I have been working with three pads in the last few months and unhappy with all. The classic equine ESP caused hair rubs on his rump and tore his mane up. The professionals choice SMx air ride with fleece lining was my next try but this is not enough padding it seems. The pictures I uploaded are with a showman that is pretty thick that we had laying around as well. I am finding dry spots that are circles just behind his shoulders with all. I did try and sweat him out in a friends Best Ever OG wool pad that we believe was 1 inch. He still had the dry spots with that pad. He does not seem to have any soreness and the saddle fit seems ok and does not move or shift at all when I ride. Only issue is the dry spots and I want to make sure I take care of this before any other problems happen. The hair loss from the classic equine is a big concern of mine. Both of the other pads have fleece lining but I believe that the classic equine was felt lined. I was leaning towards the Kush wool in light gray in either the cadillac or BHS as probably what I need but I see you can’t do a fleece lining with the Kush on the website. Do I need to worry about the Kush rubbing him?”

Problem: “My horse is a highly trained grade trail horse 10 yo. gelding. It’s unfortunate that his conformation is … unusual. I have tried tapered foam shim (5″ wide strips by Cashel) and they help some but the saddle nevertheless slides back. I’m careful to start with the saddle concho behind the furthest back movement of the shoulder but it still moves back so that it’s downhill.”

Problem: “I use this gelding for ranch work and occasionally roping. I have a Pro Choice pad right now (10 years old). I went to a wider gullet saddle and am not having any problems dry spots or rolling… Just wanting a new pad. Thanks for your advice on what direction to go.”

Problem: “Hi I have a very high withered short backed twh gelding he has pockets by his withers from previous owner I am a heavier rider and currently use a diamond wool 1 inch pad it not only is too short under my saddle but it compresses very bad forcing my saddle down onto his withers but his saddle fits great I need a good pad and don’t want to be disappointed again any ideas? I trail ride also.”

Problem: “I am in need of finding which saddle pad will best fit my horse. I barrel race and I currently am using the Best Ever 1″ OG pad on my mare. I have noticed my saddle has been slipping back lately. Is it a saddle issue or does she need a new pad?”

Western Horse Discipline: All Around Western; Team Penning, Gymkhana, Barrel Racing, Trail Riding

Problem: “Currently I’m still legging my new horse up and getting him in shape but I do all around western; team penning, gymkhana and some barrel racing and trail riding. I currently ride with a very old, worn in impact gel style pad that’s on its last leg, I haven’t seen any major problems with my horse other than the pad just being an old pad and I’m not a big fan of the neoprene style underside as I feel it sticks to him sometimes especially in the hot days.”

Problem: “My mare is 5 and changing drastically just within the last year. I use her for battle racing and ever day riding and trainning. I just purchased a full quarter bars saddle. I was using semi quarter and had issues, had to have a message therapist work on her. More or less sorness in the lions and ribs down thru the groins. Now I’m using the wide bars, my pad is a knock off of the charmayne James pad type with the shims. Works great except she has set spots on both sides below her withers in between the shoulder. I don’t want her to get muscle atrophy there later. Attached are pics of saddle with no pad, with pad and a wither shim to lift saddle up more in front, and a pic of her sweat pattern after a barrel race. Dry spot at withers to 14 way of back.”

Problem: “What saddle pad would be best for my mare? I barrel race. I am currently using a standard bayou west saddle pad, 30×32. Currently, when I work her she has dry spots just behind her withers, I measured her back, and the saddle, and it fits good, I just think it is a little too wide in the front.”

Why: This horse has an average back, and the pad and saddle appear to sit nicely on it. Our Kush Wool is softer than the Bayou West, so it will give a closer fit to the horse’s back helping to alleviate the dry spots.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “My barrel horse has a fairly high wither. I’m not sure which style of pad will work best for her. I use a classic equine biofit pad currently. I am not having any major issues with this pad it slides back slightly but nothing major. I was using a skito pad previously as they are made for the Bob Marshall treeless saddles and it caused a white pressure point to form on top of her wither. This pad is built up in the wither area and fixed that issue.”

Why: Normally, with a Bob Marshall you don’t want to over pad. We do think the 1″ Kush would sit nicely on this horse, however, since a buildup has been working a the thinner BHS Fleece may work well too.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racing, Pole Bending

Problem: “I am having some trouble figuring out which best ever pad I’m wanting to order. I am a Barrel Racer and also do pole bending, I have previously used a Classic Equine BioFit and I hated it, it made my mare really sore. I sold that and I am now using a Billy Cook pad, cut out fleece on the bottom and my mare really loves it. It’s just way too big on her. She has a pretty big scar on her back so I know I’m going to need fleece underneath. I am riding in a 14″ RS barrel saddle with an 8″ gullet..seems to fit pretty well. Saddle roles pretty often too.”

Problem: “My daughter currently uses a Bio Fit pad and a Navajo blanket on her horse, who has high narrow withers. She runs barrels and team ropes (heading) and breakaway ropes on him. The Bio Fit pad and Navajo work well with both of her saddles, though her horse does have even dry spots where he hollows out just a little behind his withers. She would like to be able to use just one pad. What pad would you suggest for him?”

Why: This pad is thin enough for barrel racing, and thick enough for roping. The fleece will help with the dry spots. The fleece and buildup combo will make a good all in one pad.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I currently have a 30″ Cadillac Pad that is 1″ thick. I love the pad and it works great when I am just riding my gelding, but when he runs a barrel pattern it slides forward onto his neck. He’s not sore or anything, but I do want to get a pad that fits him better.”

Why: The Cadillac Pad was a little too thick for this horse. Although it would work well for pleasure riding, it’s too much to compete in. A 1″ would be just the right amount of padding.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I started to competitively barrel race. He’s a slight sway but he doesn’t require a special pad. We use a normal saddle pad and he has a normal sweat pattern when we untack. I do prefer at least a 1″ think pad because I like it for all of my horses. But I’d like to know what you’d think and which pad will be the best for us while we’re barrel racing.”

Why: As the old saying goes, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. This horse has a pretty average build, and a 1″ has been working well for it, so we would suggest sticking with it.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I ride in a Shiloh saddle. We had some soreness issues last season till I switched to the Diamond Wool pad with a insert in front right shoulder. Would like something else but i don’t want to go backwards with soreness.”

Why: This horse does have a bit f s protruding spine, since a buildup pad has worked well with this horse before, a 1/2″ BHS Fleece Saddle Pad (aka 1D-Lite) will give it the extra support it needs without being too bulky.

Western Horse Discipline: English Rider

Problem: “I am already using a wool pad, a plain one. I’m not really satisfied with the fit. I am riding in a thoroughbred exercise saddle and my horse has a high wither. I am looking for a pad that is giving the spine room and lifts it a little in the front.”

Why: We specialize in western pads, but have made a few English styles before. I think you would like a 1/2″ Cadillac Modified, so that the buildup is only in the shoulder area. This will help provide proper wither support.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a mare I bought almost a year ago and I’m having trouble with my saddle rolling on her on the back sides of our turns. I currently ride in a Charmayne James saddle with a 6″ gullet and a cactus saddle pad i believe is 3/4″. I’ve been told I would need a wide fit saddle for her but I’m looking at my options. Would you have a pad you would recommend to help with rolling?”

Why: Viewing the saddled pictures of the horse it does appear to need a wider tree, but we suggested a 3/4″ to assist with the rolling issues.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “One of my barrel horses has been picky about saddle pads lately and I am hoping this is a solution. He is a little older and has pronounced withers.. I am a light rider and I run in a Bob Marshall Sports Saddle.”

Why: This is kind of a tough one. Looking at the horse a 1″ Kush Wool Saddle Pad would work well his withers. However, since they are using a Bob Marshall Saddle those tend to sit tight to the withers, and a 3/4″ Kush Wool Saddle Pad seems to work best for those.

Western Horse Discipline: Team Roper

Problem: “I ride a coats lazy L saddle with a 3/4 CSI pad . This mare is a little higher in the croup than her withers.”

Why: Due to the broad shoulders on this horse this soft wool pad will give the support needed without adding too much pressure from inserts.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a 3 yo Thoroughbred. Right now I have a no name pad that I use to like, but then I got a new saddle. It seems every saddle I get tips forward on her and pinches a little bit on either side of her withers. She never seems sore after a ride though.”

Recommended Saddle Pad:1/2″ Cadillac Fleece Modified. The modified version has the shoulder buildup only as opposed to having it along the bars too. (Call or Email to order)

Why: This will help with the extra support this horse needs, it will help fill in the wither area, and help to support the back. The shoulder inserts and fleece will help to protect the wither area, and the modified version with only the shoulder inserts will help to level out the saddle.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “No problems, I currently use a classic equine contour flex saddle pad, and it’s been working good for her.”

Problem: “I’ve heard mixed things about different saddle pads. I was told to get a built up pad because there is a dry spot on my horses spine by a tack shop owner. But I don’t think that’s true. Thought about getting a pad with built up in the withers. I used to ride with a wither pad. But sold the saddle that I used it with. Haven’t bought a new saddle yet still shopping around. Currently ride in a no brand pleasure saddle. I just trail ride and do arena work. Haven’t started showing yet. And use a reinsman tacky too.”

Why: This horse has even dry spots, except the entire spine was dry, which isn’t necessarily pad thing as it means there is no odd pressure points on the spine. The saddled pictures appeared to be a good fit with the buildups on their current pad. To create an even sweat all over the fleece will work, and to support the broad shoulder bumps the build up will help.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I’m using a 1″ Pad, and I’m getting dry spots on the wither area. I’m using a Billy Cook Saddle.”

Why: This pad is best for a horse with withers that drop like this. The fleece will help alleviate the dry spot problem.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I’m using a 5 Star 1 1/8 Roper pad. My 14 hh three year old gets matching dry spots on her shoulders after every ride. I need a longer pad because of my saddle which makes searching more difficult.”

Why: The fleece will really help with the dry spots. The build ups will add additional support. She looks like she has a pretty good back. As far as length we can makeup to a 32×32, but if you need a custom cut longer we can accommodate that too.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “We’ve had a hard time fitting a saddle to our new horse. We had a saddle fitter come out and tell us that the current saddle we are using isn’t a bad fit, but he has muscle damage to his withers and need to get a pad to fill that area out until he fills back in. We are using a regular professionals choice pad, and have also tried a fleece “pocket pad” where you can stuff the wither area, but the pad is very thin and the stuffing just squishes right down under the weight of his rider, which is 180lbs. I did not attach any pictures with this pad, because it looks like the pad will work until a rider is on the saddle. The saddle seems to sink too low (guessing a tad too wide in this area?) causing a slight “pinching” effect behind the shoulders.”

Why: This pad will help support the area and keep the saddle pressure off the withers.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a barrel horse who was just diagnosed with kissing spine! It is very important that I purchase a pad to keep as much pressure off his spine as possible and that will fit properly with saddle!”

Problem: “My 10 year old APHA mare. I have a Circle Y NBHA saddle and was using a Classic Equine Sensor Flex pad. This pad makes my saddle roll when we do fast turns (it has super thick fleece). I have also tried a regular Classic Equine felt pad and a Classic Equine ESP Contoured pad (only used this one twice). both of those kept my saddle straight…but my mare started getting a sore back…mostly toward her hips, with minimal riding. (pinning her ears when I ride her and wanting to crowhop and get away from me). I just bought a Bob Marshall treeless and I am wanting to get the most comfortable pad for general riding and barrel racing.”

Why: The Kush wool is a softer material than our OG, so it should help prevent soreness. It’ll mold nicely to your horse’s back, great for turning in barrel racing. It’s also not too thick, so you shouldn’t have any rolling problems.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “My mare is 15 hands – she’s small. I have no problems with the current pad I am using; I am actually really happy with it. I have had it for 5+ years now – I am just in the market for a new pad.”

Problem: “I mostly trail ride with some barrel racing. I am getting a custom Charmagne James cactus saddle with flared bars and a 7” gullet. My one horse is apha 1300lbs 16.2 thick as a house. He has withers but they are not prominent, but he is not mutton backed. My other guy is 1100lbs and 15 hands and has bulkier shoulders then the big guy. They bay has more of a flat back though. I have pictures attached and thank you if you can help me!

Why: Both horses are built well, the wider saddle with these horses should create a good saddle fit, so a simple 1″ Kush Wool Saddle Pad would make for a perfect fit.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a horse with average withers. And have another horse with high withers. Suggestion on pad thickness that will hopefully suit both horses? I barrel race. Right now I am using a 1in tod slone pad with a Shiloh saddle on the high withered horse. And a pro rider on the other horse. Same pad on both horses. Both are wither sore after riding.”

Why: The horse is thin skin, with a sensitive back. Due to the heavy activity inflicted on pack horses a BHS Fleece Saddle Pad will provide the extra support needed.

Western Horse Discipline: Trail Ride/Cow Work

Problem: “I have a really stout wide 11 year old quarter horse buckskin. He’s about 1,275lbs, and he’s not overweight just a big boy. My pad is always tilting to the side even wtih my breast collar, & wither strap.. I do not do rodeo, I mainly trail ride, cow work, stuff like that. I am on the horse for a good amount of time, going thru water, over trees, so I need something very durable, something big, and something that will stick to him, but not make him hot.”

Why: This horse has a Thoroughbred build to it, with little shoulder area. The 1/2″ BHS Fleece (aka 1D-Lite ) will help with better saddle fit. In the event the client doesn’t like the fleece option, our 3/4″ BHS Kush Wool would be a good alternative.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer and Team Roping Header

Problem: “I have a 6 year old gelding I’m looking to find a better fit for. He gets extremely sore in the back with the saddle pad I use now. I ride mainly in bio-fit saddle pads right now.”

Why: This horse has a little wither area with a slight sway causing a small dip. Our soft Kush Wool is ideal for this horse’s back.

Western Horse Discipline: Trail Rider

Problem: “I am using a BOB MARSHALL treeless saddle. I should have also mention that my horse is a very large, big boned, thick, fairly high withered quarter horse. Comfort for my horse on long rides is imperative.”

Why: This pad helps protect the shoulders, but isn’t too thick, so it won’t roll.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a 7 year old quarter horse and her withers are little larger on the left than the right and she has been getting sore in the right side, I have had a chiropractor out and worked on her and he suggested that I look at getting a wider saddle would love to try a different pad first to see if we can fix the issue. Currently using a team equine pad with shims and a back on track saddle pad liner. ”

Why: By the looks of the picture the horse has a good back, but after further talking with the client they were having some trouble spots, which the shims can help with. However, if the client wasn’t interested in shims, they may like a 1/2″ BHS Fleece Saddle Pad (aka 1D-Lite)

Why: This horse has larger shoulders, with dry spots. The softer fleece material will help fill in these problem areas. With a good fitting saddle this would be the best saddle pad choice.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I am a barrel racer and in looking for a saddle pad for my barrel horse that has lumbar and SI joint issues, which saddle pad do you think would be best suited for him? He is 16’1 and has a race horse physique if that helps.”

Recommended Saddle Pad:3/4″ Cadillac Fleece Modified. The modified version has the shoulder buildup only as opposed to having it along the bars too. (Call or Email to order)

Why: This horse is higher in the back than the front, with extremely high withers. This pad will help even the pressure out.

Problem: “My daughter is currently using a professional choice bio fit saddle pad to help with saddle fit. The pad is tearing up and we will be replacing it soon with a Best Ever Pad. Which do you recommend to take the place of the bio fit?

Problem: “I need a pad for a horse with no withers. Cutback built-up pad for a horse with little or no wither is what I am looking for. I have put three different saddles on and everything still leans forward.

Why: This pad will help prevent the saddle from rolling and leaning forward, and help the saddle fit better. The soft Kush Wool Material will also help aid against rolling.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “My horse have a very wide back and low/average withers. I just got her and I have been having trouble with the saddle slipping when doing turns. I participate in a barrel racing sport so I need my saddle to stay in place when I shift my weight in the saddle for turns.”

Why: If your saddle fits really well on a horse with a really good back like this a 3/4″ should suffice, but if your saddle does not fit well a 1″ Kush Wool Saddle Pad would work well

Western Horse Discipline: Roper

Problem: “I need to purchase a new pad for my gelding. He’s pretty wide and short backed. I bought my saddle to fit him, and then he got hurt. I had to lay him off for quite a while and I’ve only been back on him about 12 weeks. I have just been exercising him and roping the dummy, and he’s getting sore on the back edge of his shoulders. Can you recommend a pad that might help me?”

Problem: “I’ve been a fan of impact gel saddle pads, but my saddle pad recently had a defect and it’s only a year old and the company is refusing to help me out with it so because of that I’m looking into a new company to support. I was wondering if you could tell me what pad would resemble the impact gel style for my horse. I tried using a classic equine bio fit saddle pad on my horse and it made the saddle not fit right and she would buck every time we would lope, but if she had her impact gel she was fine.”

Why: This horse has high withers, we would recommend this pad for a horse built like this.

Western Horse Discipline: Barrel Racer

Problem: “I have a horse that has a mild case of kissing spine that is maintained by injections, right now I am riding in a classic equine neoprene pad and it was suggested to try a saddle pad by your company, I have never used anything besides classic saddle pads before so I am uneasy with change and would not know what saddle pad would be the best for my horse, and why would Best Ever Saddle Pads be better than CSI Saddle Pads?”

Why: We would suggest our Best Ever Saddle Pads over CSI Saddle Pads because they have a lot more flex, which is the common problem I hear with CSI saddle pads is lack of flex. Our pads are also highly shock absorbent, especially our 3/4″ BHS Fleece Saddle Pad